Interlabial pad

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that is worn by female wearers, placed in intimate contact and supported between the labia, which provides an interlabial pad that causes no discomfort to the female wearer in the body motions of the wearer. The interlabial pad of the present invention is characterized by having bending elements which allows the interlabial pad to follow the changes in form flexibly even when a force is exerted on the interlabial pad by the wearer&#39;s body motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of International Application No.PCT/JP02/04889 filed May 21, 2002, which application published inJapanese on Nov. 28, 2002 as WO 02/094153 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interlabial pad that is worn byfemale wearers, placed in intimate contact and supported between thelabia.

2. Background Art

Conventionally, a sanitary napkin and a tampon are used generally asfemale sanitary products. Here, there have been great efforts made toprevent the leak of blood from gap caused by poor adhesion near theostium vaginae as for the sanitary napkin. Moreover, as for the tampon,there have been great efforts made for relieving the foreign feeling andthe discomfort when wearing the sanitary products as well asintervaginal wearing trouble due to the nature of those products.

Under such situation, sanitary products of the interlabial pad haveattracted attention as a sanitary product positioned between thesanitary napkin and the tampon in recent years. The interlabial pad isused by inserting its portion between the labia and bringing intocontact with the inner face of labia, it prevents the blood from leakingbecause of higher adhesion to the body than that of the sanitary napkin,and the blood from bringing widely into contact with the body bydiffusing, so it is sanitary and clean. Moreover, the interlabial padhas characteristics that it excels in a feeling of wearing, iscomfortable because of being smaller than the sanitary napkin, and haslower psychological resistance on wearing than that of the tampon whichis inserted into the vagina.

Unlike sanitary napkins, which are fixed to the underwear or tampons,which are fixed by insertion into the vagina, the interlabial pad isusually used fixed to the body by inserting between the labia, which maymake right and left phase shifts in body motions. Therefore, it isnecessary that the interlabial pad can make right and left phase shiftsflexibly to follow the wearer's body motions. That is, it is requiredfor the motions of the labia to correspond to the asymmetric bodymotions with respect to the body's longitudinal plane of symmetry, whichextends along the anteroposterior axis, like putting one foot in frontof the other alternately in walking. If the interlabial pad cannotfollow the body motions and falls from the wearer's interlabial space,the resulting leak of blood is a significant problem.

An example of such device, thin comfortable interlabial absorbentstructure (JP-A-2001-507597) is currently available. The interlabialabsorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent body panels that aresufficiently flexible so that the panels can, at least partially,conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels arejoined by an isthmus which is positioned farthest into a wearer'sinterlabial space when the interlabial absorbent structure is worn.However, unlike usual sanitary napkins, the interlabial pad is not fixedto the underwear or fixed by insertion like tampons.

The interlabial absorbent structure is inserted into the interlabialspace in such condition that the pad may slip or shift and is not fixedas securely as sanitary napkins or tampons. Therefore, with the wearer'sbody motion; slips between the interlabial absorbent structure(equivalent to the structure of the interlabial pad whose absorbent padis joined by the isthmus) and the labia may tend to occur, which maymake the wearer feel discomfort.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to solve the problems pointed outabove. The object of the present invention is, with the interlabial padplaced in intimate contact and supported between labia, to reduce asmuch as possible the discomfort which the wearer of the pad feels whensome force is exerted on the interlabial pad and the inner walls of thelabia by the body motions.

The inventors found out that it may be the slip between the interlabialpad and the inner walls of the labia or some force felt between theinterlabial pad and the inner walls of the labia, even without anyslips, that makes the wearer feel discomfort. Such force is apt to beproduced by the wearer's asymmetric motions.

The innermost area of the interlabial space, that is, the vestibulefloor can easily change in accordance with the wearer's (user's) motion.For example, when the wearer's weight is allocated downward (from thevestibule floor toward the end of the labia) with such motions as thewearer sitting down on a chair, the vestibule floor changes in form bybeing forced down. When the wearer's legs are moving back and forthalternatively in walking or other motions, the vestibule floor changesin form to flex, adjusting from right and left due to the pressure fromthe thighs.

With regard to the interlabial absorbent structure described above, thefollowing has been found: The isthmus (equivalent to the top part of thefolded pad), which is stiff as the isthmus is formed by joining theproximal edges of both absorbent panels, is placed facing the vestibulefloor. Therefore, it is difficult for the isthmus to change its form tofollow the changes in form of the vestibule floor described above, whichmay cause the wearer to sense the stiffness of the isthmus, that is, afeeling of discomfort with the wearer's body motions.

In view of the above, the inventors considered that if the part of theinterlabial pad facing the vestibule floor follows the motions of thevestibule floor easily, the pad will not cause wearer discomfort, inaddition, will also prevent leak of blood by avoiding creating a gapbetween the vestibule floor and the interlabial pad. That is, thefollowing facts have been found: It is necessary to reduce a lengthwisestiffness of the interlabial pad for the interlabial pad product in astate. worn between the labia in order to cope with the changes in formof the vestibule floor by being forced down with such motions as thewearer sitting down on a chair. It is also necessary to reduce thebreadthwise stiffness of the interlabial pad while worn between thelabia in order to cope with the right and left changes in form of thevestibule floor in walking or other motions, due to the pressure fromthe thighs.

However, though the absorbent body, which is mainly responsible formaintaining the shape of the interlabial pad, is flexible, thecapability of the absorbent body is limited as the absorbent body isrelatively thick.

The present invention is developed based on the above-mentionedfindings. The object of the present invention is to provide aninterlabial pad which easily changes its form to follow the changes inform of the vestibule floor, in order to reduce the foreign feeling and,further in order to prevent leak of blood. That is, an interlabial padwhich has a shape to allow the pad to be easily inserted between thelabia, consists of an absorbent body to absorb body fluid and a coveringmaterial to cover the absorbent body and is characterized by having atleast one bending element in the absorbent body.

More specifically, the present invention offers the following:

(1) An interlabial pad with a size, weight, and flexibility capable ofbeing held between labia by pinching a part or the whole portion of theinterlabial pad naturally therebetween, having a direction ofsubstantial parallel arrangement (“parallel direction”) towards saidlabia and a direction of substantial vertical arrangement (“verticaldirection”), further comprising, an absorbent body for absorbing bodyfluid and a coating material for enclosing said absorbent body, whichdefines a main form of said interlabial pad, wherein: said absorbentbody includes one or a plurality of linear bending elements including astraight-line and a curved line form with a prescribed length and aprescribed width, which are provided in a prescribed position of saidinterlabial pad formed of a part with a smaller bending strengthcompared to parts other than said prescribed position.

The shape of the peripheral edge of the interlabial pad is notnecessarily confined, as long as the shapes are suitable for fitting thelabial area of the female wearers without difficulty. Examples ofpreferable shapes include elliptical shape, gourd shape and tear dropshape. “A part or the whole” above may mean that a part of theinterlabial pad or the whole of the interlabial pad is inserted betweenthe labia and becomes unseen. “Smoothly inserting” may mean to beinserted easily by the wearer of the interlabial pad by herself easilyand “to hold” may mean that the pad does not fall off from the spacewhere it is inserted. “Flexibility” may mean the adaptability in formwhich allows the pad to alter its form elastically when extrinsic forcessuch as external stress and pressure are exerted on the pad and whichmay include partial plastic changes in form. It is not necessary thatthe flexibility mean the local adaptability provided by the bendingelement described below but may mean general flexibility.

“Parallel direction” refers to a direction which is substantiallyparallel with the labia between which the interlabial pad is worn. Asthe direction coincides with the direction which is substantiallyparallel with the anteroposterior axis, the direction is determined bythe direction in which the wearer wears the interlabial pad. That is,when a pad has a shape which is elongated longitudinally, thelongitudinal axis is not necessarily parallel with the paralleldirection but the direction in which the wearer wears the interlabialpad is the parallel direction. “Vertical direction” refers to adirection which is perpendicular to the parallel direction above and isincluded in a plane when the wearer stands upright wearing the pad.Consequently, it usually refers to longitudinal or lateral direction onthe surface of the interlabial pad, which is flat. Bending strength mayrefer to a part which includes an area having lower bending element thanthat of the surrounding area. In addition, as bending is usually carriedout along lines, bending element may also have a linear shape.

The interlabial pad (or absorbent body) may have any shape including asheet, a cylinder, a sphere and a cube. With regard to these interlabialpads of various shapes, the directions (the parallel direction and thevertical direction) are also determined based on the wearer's position.Bending element may have a linear shape when projected a planedetermined mainly by the parallel direction and the vertical direction(may refer to a horizontal plane for the wearer).

(2) The interlabial pad according to (1), wherein said bending elementis formed of a bending element piece in which said part with a smallerbending strength is extended for a prescribed length, and said bendingelement piece is a “vertical bending element piece” being extendedsubstantially parallel with said vertical direction.

Bending element piece may include parts whose bending strength (orbending resistance) is relatively low and may have a specified length.However, the bending strength of the bending element piece is notnecessarily the same over all its length but may vary from part to part.Though the specified length can be determined in the individual case, itmay usually be within the length or width of the absorbent bodyincluding the bending element piece.

(3) The interlabial pad according to (2), wherein said vertical bendingelement piece is arranged to cross a center line of said interlabialpad, which lies along said parallel direction of said interlabial pad.

The center line of the interlabial pad lying in the parallel directionof the interlabial pad refers to a line which extends substantiallyparallel in the “parallel direction”, which is substantially parallelwith the wearer's anteroposterior axis when the interlabial pad is worn,and at which the interlabial pad is divided into equal two parts. Whenthe interlabial pad is symmetrical with respect to the wearer'santeroposterior axis, the center line coincides with the axis. If theinterlabial pad is asymmetrical, the center line can be a line whichdivides the main part (notably, the absorbent body) into nearlysymmetrical two parts. That is, to cross the center line, may mean toextend mainly to the right and left direction, being astride a part inproximity to the center line dividing the pad longitudinally into nearlyequal parts (“central part”). However, unless specified, it is notnecessary that the crossing is carried out parallel or nearly parallelwith the right and left direction.

In such structure, on the center line along the parallel direction ofthe interlabial pad facing the vestibule floor, the bending elementsextending in the vertical direction as crossing the center line alongthe parallel direction enables at least the absorbent body to change inform easily and lower the stiffness in both of the parallel directionand the vertical direction. This enables the pad to follow the changesin form of the vestibule floor more effectively, which reduces theforeign feeling caused by the wearer's body motions, in addition, makesthe pad to contact the vestibule floor closer, which will prevent leakof blood.

(4) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein:said bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength; and said absorbent body of said interlabial pad comprises aplurality of said bending element pieces being extended for a prescribedlength in a state where said pieces are positioned substantiallyparallel with each other so that, when said absorbent body is extendedflat, said plurality of bending element pieces appear to be in astaggered pattern.

Bending element piece above may mean a combination of straight lines,curved lines close to straight lines or curved lines. That is, it is notnecessary that each of the plural bending element pieces has the sameshape. However, in order to arrange each of the multiple bending elementpieces to be substantially parallel, it is necessary that the shape ofeach bending element piece generally points in a certain direction, inwhich the main part of each bending element piece points. “Whenextending the absorbent body” means that the absorbent body may be usedfolded or bent because of its flexibility and it is better for objectiveidentification of the shape of the absorbent body when extending theabsorbent body along a surface. In such case, “appearing in a staggeredpattern” may be considered that the bending element pieces are not inone line but in a staggered arrangement.

(5) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein:said bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength; and a plurality of said bending element pieces are arranged tobe in line as symmetry with respect to the center line of saidinterlabial pad, which lies along said parallel direction of saidinterlabial pad.

“Linear symmetry” may mean that the multiple bending element pieces arearranged symmetrically in right and left with respect to the center lineof the interlabial pad.

(6) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein:said bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength; and said bending element piece is a “parallel bending elementpiece” being extended substantially parallel with said paralleldirection.

“Parallel bending element piece” may refer to a bending element piecewhich includes weak point of the bending strength and extendssubstantial parallel with the parallel direction.

(7) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein saidparallel bending element piece is arranged near the center line of saidinterlabial pad, which lies along said parallel direction of saidinterlabial pad.

“The center line neighborhood” of the interlabial pad lying along theparallel direction of the interlabial pad may refer to the central partof the interlabial pad as described above.

(8) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein saidbending element is formed of a bending element piece in which said partwith a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribed length, andsaid bending element piece is arranged to reach the peripheral edges ofsaid absorbent body.

“The peripheral edge of the absorbent body” may refer to the part in theproximity to the edge of the absorbent body. This may mean, for example,when a bending element piece is formed by a slit, the slit should reachthe edge of the absorbent body. Therefore, arrangement of bendingelement pieces, in the appropriate positions and directions, consideringthe length of the bending element pieces, will enable the bendingelement pieces to reach the peripheral edge.

(9) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein:said bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength, and a first bending element piece extended for a prescribedlength in substantially parallel with said vertical direction ispositioned to cross the center line of said interlabial pad, which liesalong said parallel direction; a second bending element piece extendedfor a prescribed length in substantially parallel with said paralleldirection is positioned near the center line of said interlabial pad;and said first bending element piece and said second bending elementpiece cross each other near the center line of said interlabial pad.

For example, it may be considered the first bending element piece andthe second bending element piece cross each other in the shape of across at center line neighborhood of the interlabial pad (central part).

(10) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein:said bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength; and said bending element piece is positioned, in said verticaldirection, in the halfway between the center part positioned near thecenter line of said interlabial pad and the peripheral edges of saidinterlabial pad, and extends for a prescribed length in substantiallyparallel with said parallel direction.

“Central part” may refer to the center line neighborhood of theinterlabial pad, which extends substantially parallel in the paralleldirection. “The peripheral edge of the interlabial pad” refers to an end(or an edge) of the interlabial pad. In this case, “the peripheral edgeof the interlabial pad” may particularly refer to the right or left edgeof the interlabial pad, that is, the right or left end of the verticaldirection, which corresponds to the wearer's right and left directions.Therefore, “between the central part and the peripheral edge” may referto a part which is located midway between the central part and the left(or right) edge of the interlabial pad and extends substantiallyparallel with the central part.

(11) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (10), whereinsaid bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength, the bending element is positioned near the center line of saidinterlabial pad, and extends in a V-shape towards the peripheral edgesof said absorbent body from said vertical direction at a prescribedangle.

This bending element piece is nearly in the center of the interlabialpad and may be considered to be V-shaped. The V shape may follow theshape of the edge of the interlabial pad or may be reversed.

(12) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (11), whereinsaid bending element is formed of a bending element piece in which saidpart with a smaller bending strength is extended for a prescribedlength, and said bending element piece extends for a prescribed lengthat a prescribed angle between said parallel direction.

The above is a description of so-called slanted bending element pieces.

(13) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (12), whereinsaid bending element is formed by a slit, a low-dense part, or acombination of these.

“The slit” may refer to a linearly extending space formed by removingthe whole or a part of the filling material of the absorbent body in theabsorbent body including the bending element piece. As the absorbentbody is covered in the covering material, the absorbent body on bothsides of the slit will not come loose. It may be considered that theabsorbent body is bent along the crease formed by the covering materialand the remaining filling material. Such slit can be made by stuffing afilling material which is separated in advance or by cutting the fillingmaterial by cutter or other tools. “Low density portion” may refer to apoint where the density of the filling material of the absorbent body islow. Such part is usually easy to bend, and when bent, the point iscrushed and consequently, the thickness of the absorbent body isactually reduced. “Compound of the slit and the low density portion”means that these means can be used being combined along the longitudinaldirection of the bending element. In addition, these means can be usedin combination in the same part. For example, a slit can be made in alow density portion by a cutter.

(14) The interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein:the opposite side surface to a body of said interlabial pad comprises amini sheet piece which is provided over one side part to the other sidepart of both side parts with respect to the center axis substantiallyparallel with said substantially parallel direction of said interlabialpad; and a finger insert hole is formed between said mini sheet pieceand said opposite side surface to the body.

“The opposite side surface to body” may refer to the surface opposite tothe surface contacting the body or the outside of the back side sheet.“Central axis” may refer to an axis along the parallel direction whichis defined above and the axis extending so that the axis will divide atleast the main part of the interlabial pad into two nearly equal parts.

Therefore, “the side of both ends” may refer to the outer edges (orparts) of the interlabial pad away from the center line (correspondingto the direction in which the divided two parts of the interlabial padspread from the center line as the center line divides at least the mainpart of the interlabial pad into two nearly equal parts).

Mini sheet piece is provided so as to stride from one side to the otherside may mean that the mini sheet piece is attached to both edges of theabove interlabial pad. “Finger insert hole” may refer to an open spacesurrounded by the ring or loop formed by the mini sheet piece and theopposite side surface to body.

(15) An interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (14), whereinsaid interlabial pad is a pad for an incontinence of urine.

According to the interlabial pad of the present invention, the pad canbe used for incontinence absorption pad. That is ostium vaginae wherethe blood is discharged and a pee hole where urine is discharged locatebetween labia, and the interlabial pad of the present invention to beused between labia can absorb urine also.

As described hereinbefore, the pad of the present invention can absorburine around labia, especially around the pee hole and is useful for theabsorbing pad for incontinence of urine, especially for a lightincontinence of urine.

(16) An interlabial pad according to any one of (1) to (14), whereinsaid interlabial pad is a pad for absorbing vaginal discharge.

In accordance with the present invention, the interlabial pad can beused for the pad of absorbing the vaginal discharge. That is theinterlabial pad is used between labia and can absorb the excretion otherthan the blood from ostium vaginae for the use therefore (for absorbingthe vaginal discharge).

As described above, the pad can absorb the vaginal discharge in order todecrease the discomfort for the person, and is useful for the user whois not menstruating.

(17) A method of adjusting a form flexibility used for said interlabialpad with a size, weight, flexibility capable of being held between labiaby a part or the whole portion of which being naturally insertedtherebetween, having a direction of substantially parallel arrangement(“parallel direction”) towards said labia and a direction of substantialvertical arrangement (“vertical direction”), further comprising: anabsorbent body for absorbing liquid and a coating material for enclosingsaid absorbent body, which defines a main form of said interlabial pad;and one or a plurality of bending elements provided in a prescribedposition of said interlabial pad with a smaller bending strengthcompared to a part other than said prescribed position, wherein themethod comprises the step of: adjusting the form of said interlabial padby a bending element application method using said bending element.

The method will make it easy to adjust the shape flexibility of theinterlabial pad. If the wearer uses this method, the shape of theinterlabial pad is easily adjusted.

(18) The method for adjusting a form flexibility according to (17),wherein said bending element application method comprises the step ofchanging the form, number, positioning area, and arrangement of saidbending element.

The shape of the bending element may include the size, orientation andthe like. “Arranged portion” refers to the point where the bendingelement is placed. “Arrangement” may mean how to arrange bendingelements and can also be expressed as distribution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an interlabial pad of the present embodimentseen from the body side surface.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X2 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) show an interlabial pad according to the embodiment.FIG. 3(A) is a front view of the interlabial pad which is used beingfolded. FIG. 3(B) is a side view of the pad seen from the left side.

FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) show an interlabial pad of an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 4(A) shows a cylindrical interlabial pad. FIG.4(B) shows the interlabial pad being placed between the labia.

FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) show an interlabial pad of an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5(A) shows a flat pad-type interlabial pad. FIG.5(B) shows the interlabial pad being folded in use.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bending element created by embossing, which can beused in an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 7 illustrates a bending element created by slit processing, whichcan be 5 shows used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the distribution (staggered arrangement) of bending elementpieces which form a bending element included in the absorbent body of aninterlabial pad of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the distribution (including bending element in the centralpart) of bending element pieces which form a bending element included inthe absorbent body of an interlabial pad of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 shows the distribution (bending element passing through theedges) of bending element pieces which form a bending element includedin the absorbent body of an interlabial pad of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 shows the distribution (bending element crossing in the center)of bending element pieces which form a bending element included in theabsorbent body of an interlabial pad of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an interlabial pad of an embodiment ofthe present invention, to which a mini sheet piece is attached to theopposite side surface to body.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the absorbent body (laid out flat) ofthe interlabial pad of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the interlabial pad of anembodiment of the present invention, to which a mini sheet piece isattached to the opposite side surface to body.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the interlabial pad of anembodiment of the present invention, to which a mini sheet piece isattached to the opposite side surface to body, being worn.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the interlabial pad of an embodiment ofthe present invention bent to the right.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the interlabial pad of an embodiment ofthe present invention bent to the right and left.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the interlabial pad of an embodiment ofthe present invention bent with the rear part downward.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, the embodiments of the interlabial pad in the present inventionwill be described with reference to the figures.

[Basic Interlabial Pad]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an interlabial pad 10. Aninterlabial pad of the embodiment essentially has a shape which iselongated longitudinally, that is, an elliptical shape having the majoraxis of front 14 to rear 16 on the longitudinal axis (X-axis), and theminor axis of right 18 to left 20 on the lateral axis (Y-axis). However,the shape of the product is not necessarily confined, as long as theshapes are suitable for the labial area and allow right and left phaseshifts during use, such as elliptical shape, gourd shape and tear dropshape.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X2 ofFIG. 1. The interlabial pad 10 comprises a liquid permeable surface sidesheet 26 contacting the wearer's body side surface 22, that is, theinner walls of labia; a permeable or non permeable back side sheet 30facing the opposite body side face 24, that is, the wearer's clothingside; and an absorbent body 28. The interlabial pad 10 is a laminatedtype pad, whose surface side sheet and back side sheet are joinedtogether outside the edge of the absorbent.

The surface side sheet 26 and the back side sheet 30 may be joined byheat sealing only or in combination with a hot melt adhesive. Theinterlabial pad 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned laminated typestructure, but may be an enclosed type structure, in which a waterimpermeable material is positioned under an absorbent and a waterpermeable sheet covers them entirely.

The interlabial pad 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can be folded in twoalong the line from front 14 to rear 16 on Y-axis so that the centralpart 32 will be on the exterior. Then, the surface side 26 on the bodyside surface 22 is facing the upper side (or outside). On the otherhand, the opposite body side surface 24 is facing the lower side and theback side sheet 30 is facing inside of the folded pad. In suchstructure, the surface side sheet 26 contacts the surface of the labiaand the right and left sides of the pad contact the right and left sidesof the labia respectively. Therefore, when the right and left sides ofthe labia are moved with the wearer's body motions, the interlabial padchanges in form by being forced from right and left. Consequently, theflexibility of the interlabial pad 10 plays an important role inreducing wearer discomfort.

(A) in FIG. 4 shows an example of cylindrical interlabial pad 40extending lengthwise with an oval cross-section. The bending elementswhich extend in the vertical direction in the interlabial pad 40 referto bending elements 44, 46 and 48 shown by the lines extending in thevertical direction in the center 42 of the interlabial pad 40 in thefigure. These bending elements are made in an absorbent body 50 and theabsorbent body 50 is covered in covering material 41. When theinterlabial pad 40 is arched with the central part on the exterior,these bending elements 44, 46 and 48 will open. That is, each foldresistance of 44, 46 and 48, located just below the wearer, isconsidered to be low as the volume of the absorbent body in the portionis smaller than the other portions. Also, the compressive stress andtensile stress directed through the depth of the absorbent body bybending will be smaller due to the reduced thickness.

(B) in FIG. 4 shows the interlabial pad being worn. The interlabial pad40, which consists of the absorbent body 50 covered in the coveringmaterial 41, is placed between the right and left labia 60. Thedirection of the bending shown by the U-shape arrow (lengthwise flexuralrigidity P) in the drawing is opposite to the direction of theabove-described bending to the central part on the exterior. As thebending elements 44, 46 and 48 are also easy to bend in the directionshown by the U-shape arrow, the bending deformation is concentrated onthe bending elements. As a result, the same displacement quantity of thebending deformation of the whole of the interlabial pad as that of thebending deformation without the bending elements 44, 46 and 48 is gainedby smaller force. Likewise, with regard to the direction of the bendingshown by the S-shape arrow (breadthwise flexural rigidity Q) in (B) inFIG. 4, the same displacement quantity of the bending deformation can begained by smaller force. Thus, the bending elements enable the absorbentbody to change in form easily and concurrently reduce the flexuralrigidity on the vertical surface, which is perpendicular to the paralleldirection in the interlabial pad worn between the labia and the flexuralrigidity on the surface determined by the parallel direction and thevertical direction. In addition, the bending elements have the effect onreducing the flexural rigidity of the interlabial pad in directions andon surfaces other than the above.

(A) in FIG. 5 shows the interlabial pad 10 of another embodiment of thepresent invention. A part of the surface side sheet 26 is cut away toshow the covered absorbent body 28 and bending elements 34, 36 and 38created in the absorbent body. In this embodiment, the covering materialis formed by joining the surface side sheet 26 and the back side sheet30 together at each edge. The absorbent body 28 of such sheet-typeinterlabial pad 10 also has the same shape as the sheet. In theabsorbent body 28, the bending elements 34, 36 and 38 are arrangedparallel with each other, starting near the front 14 toward the rear 16so that the bending elements cross the center line (or the central part)of the interlabial pad. This interlabial pad 10 is worn between thelabia as shown in (B) in FIG. 5.

(B) in FIG. 5 shows the interlabial pad 10 which is folded in two sothat both sides of the back side sheet 30 come into contact with eachother and the surface side sheet 26 which contacts the right and leftlabia 60. This state is similar to the state of the cylindricalinterlabial pad worn between the labia, shown in (B) in FIG. 4. In (B)in FIG. 5, the U-shape arrow and the S-shape arrow show the direction ofeach bending. Similar to the above, the bending elements reduce the foldresistance, which makes the pad easy to bend in each direction.

As shown in (B) in FIG. 5, the interlabial pad is worn being foldedalong the center line lying in the parallel direction so that thesurfaces of the covering material facing the clothing (back side sheet30) face each other. The parallel direction and the vertical directionare determined in relation to the placing or wearing the interlabialpad, however, for such an interlabial pad, the directions may determinedwith the pad being laid out flat as shown in (A) in FIG. 5. In suchcases, a lengthwise direction (on the line from the front 14 to the rear16), which is nearly parallel in the parallel direction can be used asthe parallel direction and a breadthwise direction defined as thedirection from the right 18 to the left 20 of the interlabial pad can beused as the vertical direction. The shape of the folded interlabial padmakes it easy for the body side surface of the right and leftinterlabial pad, which contact the right and left sides of the labiarespectively and are symmetrical with respect to a lengthwise centerline, to follow the changes in form of the right and left labia with thewearer's body motions, which will reduce the occurrence of gaps betweenthe vestibule floor or the inner walls of the labia and the interlabialpad. The bending elements 34, 36, 38 and 39 of this shape, which extendbreadthwise, seem to extend vertically in the drawing of the interlabialpad worn between the labia, however, they extend breadthwise when theinterlabial pad is laid out flat as shown in (A) in FIG. 5.

The flexural rigidity of the interlabial pad which has the bendingelements extending breadthwise so as to cross at least a lengthwisecenter line of the absorbent body can be 1.5 mN or less and morepreferably, 1.0 mN or less for a lengthwise direction. The value of theflexural rigidity is measured with Gurley measuring apparatus. Thesamples for measuring were taken from the central part of theinterlabial pad. The samples for measuring a lengthwise flexuralrigidity were 38 mm lengthwise by 25 mm breadthwise and for thebreadthwise flexural rigidity, 38 mm breadthwise by 25 mm lengthwise.

“Extend breadthwise above” may mean to lie or move toward the rightand/or left side of the interlabial pad and is not required to beparallel or nearly parallel in a breadthwise direction. Likewise,“extend lengthwise above” may mean to lie or move toward the front 14and/or the rear 16 of the interlabial pad and it is not required to beparallel or nearly parallel in a lengthwise direction. The bendingelements can be provided on the covering material of the absorbent bodyas well as on the absorbent body.

Generally, it is preferable that a bending element has a length of 3 to30 mm and a breadth (thickness) of 5 mm or less. The preferable distancebetween parallel adjacent bending elements (pitch) is 3 to 20 mm.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the bending elements. The absorbent body 28covered with the surface side sheet 26 and the back side sheet 30 iscompressed at the bending elements 70. Such compressions can be made byembossing. For example, thrust processing or embossing in which the padsare drawn between rollers having protrusion patterns and flat patternsin order to provide the pad with a density difference. Other methods inwhich compressed parts are made by pressing using protrusion and flatparts making a difference in stiffness between the compressed parts andthe other parts is made can also be used.

FIG. 7 shows a bending element made by slitting. The absorbent body 28covered with the surface side sheet 26 and the back side sheet 30 is cutat the bending element 72. To cut through the absorbent body like thisis more preferable as the fold resistance of the bending element issignificantly low. Slitting without cutting through the absorbent body,which allows the fold resistance to be adjusted is also possible.Methods other than the above can also be used to make the bendingelements. Parts having relatively low fold resistance can be the bendingelements.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the bending element pieces, that is,bending elements are arranged in a staggered arrangement in theabsorbent body 28. To cover the absorbent body 28 with the coveringmaterial (including the surface side sheet and the back side sheet)makes the interlabial pad 10. Bending element pieces 80 extendingbreadthwise are arranged in the central part, which is the center lineneighborhood of the absorbent body along the parallel direction from thefront 14 to the rear 16 corresponding to the front to the rear of theinterlabial pad 10. Bending element pieces 82 extending breadthwise arearranged nearly parallel in the part between a right edge 18 of theabsorbent body corresponding to the right of the interlabial pad and thecenter line. Bending element pieces 84, which are symmetrical to thebending element pieces 82 with respect to the center line, extendingbreadthwise are arranged nearly parallel in the part between a left edge20 of the absorbent body corresponding to the left of the interlabialpad and the center line. The bending element pieces 82 and 84 arrangedin the part between the edges of the absorbent body and the center lineare not aligned with the bending element pieces 80 in the central partin a breadthwise direction but are staggered. Compared with arrangementsin which the bending elements are placed parallel lengthwise, sucharrangement has narrower intervals of the bending element pieces,consequently, it is considered that the flexural rigidity of the wholeinterlabial pad will be reduced evenly. Also, the flexural rigidity ofthe whole interlabial pad can be adjusted properly by changing thelength of the bending element pieces.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, only the absorbent body 28 is shown in order to make iteasier to understand the arrangement and distribution of the bendingelements (including bending element pieces). Four bending element pieces86, which are substantially parallel in a lengthwise direction, arearranged in the center line neighborhood extending from the front 14 tothe rear 16. Three bending element pieces 80 are arranged, crossing thecenter line. These bending element pieces 86 and 80 do not cross eachother. As is the case with FIG. 8, the bending element pieces 82 and 84,which are substantially parallel in a breadthwise direction, arearranged on the parts between the central part and the edges of theabsorbent body. That is, FIG. 9 is different from FIG. 8 mainly becauseof the presence of the bending element pieces 86, which aresubstantially parallel in a lengthwise direction. Both FIG. 8 and FIG. 9have symmetrical arrangements with respect to the center line.Therefore, few differences in the rigidity in the right and left sidesare present, which will reduce the foreign feeling.

In addition, the bending element pieces 86, which are arrangedlengthwise along the center line, make it easy to place the interlabialpad so that the central part will face the vestibule floor. This isconsidered to reduce the occurrence of leak of blood because theinterlabial pad folded symmetrically keeps in close contact with theinner walls of the labia. Also, when the vestibule floor changes in formby being forced down with such motions as the wearer sitting down on achair, not only the breadthwise bending elements, such as the bendingelement pieces 80, reduce a lengthwise flexural rigidity but also thedownward compressive force can be easily converted into breadthwisecompressive force starting from a lengthwise bending elements, reducingthe foreign feeling to the wearer even more. If a lengthwise bendingelements (the bending element pieces 86) are made by slitting, the padcan change in form more easily when being compressed downward by agreater force as the absorbent body material on both sides of thebending element can change in form to separate from each other.

The preferable downward compressive rigidity of the interlabial pad wornbetween the labia is 50 cN/cm² or less, and more preferably, 30 cN/cm²or less. The compressive rigidity was measured in the vicinity of thecenter of the interlabial pad, compressing a constant-rate extensiondigital force gauge by 3 mm downward at the rate of 100 mm/min.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In thisfigure, also, only the absorbent body 28 is shown in order to make iteasier to understand the shape and arrangement of the bending elements(including bending element pieces). In the center line neighborhoodextending from the front 14 to the rear 16, three bending element pieces86, which are substantially parallel in a lengthwise direction and donot reach the edges of the absorbent body 28, are arranged and twobending element pieces 87, which reach the edges of the absorbent body28, are arranged at the front and rear respectively. In addition, twobending element pieces 88, which reach the edges of the absorbent body28, are arranged substantially parallel with the front bending elementpiece 87, at both sides of the bending element piece 87 and slightlyapart from the bending element piece 87. Four bending element pieces 80,which are substantially parallel in a breadthwise direction, arearranged, crossing the center line. These bending element pieces 86 and80 do not cross each other. As is the case with FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, thebending element pieces 82 and 84, which are substantially parallel in abreadthwise direction, are arranged on the parts between the centralpart and the edges of the absorbent body. Also, four bending elementpieces 83 and 85 each, which are substantially parallel in a breadthwisedirection and reach the edges of the absorbent body 28, are arrangednear the right and left edges.

Since an interlabial pad is worn in an area which is hard to see, thewearer has to feel for the proper placement to wear the pad. The edgesof the interlabial pad may come into contact with the inner walls of thelabia or the pudenda. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the rigidityof the pad so as not to cause the wearer to have discomfort or a foreignfeeling. Arranging the bending elements (including bending elementpieces) so as to reach the edges of the absorbent body reduces therigidity of the edges sufficiently. If the bending elements are made byslitting, the bending elements in the absorbent body can separate toopen outward from bending elements, which will reduce the wearer'sdiscomfort and foreign feeling.

The front end of the interlabial pad tends to contact the clitoris whilethe rear of the interlabial pad tends to contact the ostium vaginae orthe anus. It is preferable that the bending elements (including bendingelement pieces) at the front and rear of the interlabial pad, whichtends to contact these sensitive parts, at least reach the edges of theabsorbent body.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In thisfigure, also, only the absorbent body 28 is shown in order to make iteasier to understand the shape and arrangement of the bending elements(including bending element pieces). In the center line neighborhoodextending from the front 14 to the rear 16, four bending element pieces86, which are substantially parallel in a lengthwise direction and donot reach the edges of the absorbent body 28, are arranged. In addition,the bending element pieces 88, which reach the edges of the absorbentbody 28, are arranged substantially parallel in a lengthwise direction,at a specified distance from the center line. Four bending elementpieces 81, which are substantially parallel in a breadthwise direction,are arranged, crossing the center line. These bending element pieces 86and 81 cross each other.

With such a structure, even when the vestibule floor changes in form bybeing forced down with such motions as the wearer sitting down on achair, the downward compressive force can be easily converted intomultidirectional compressive force starting from the intersecting pointsof a lengthwise and breadthwise bending elements, which will reduce theforeign feeling to the wearer. If slit-processing the bending elements,the shape deformation is caused so as to separate from the bendingelement to the downward direction of the absorbent body, and so thedeformation is easily caused more to the lower compression force. Thebending elements forming the intersecting points are not limited to twobut can be more than two.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This is athree-dimensional perspective view of the interlabial pad which has amini sheet piece 100 on its back side sheet 30 facing the opposite sidesurface to body. A part of the back side sheet 26 is shown cut away inorder to make it easier to understand the shape and arrangement of thebending elements (including bending element pieces) in the absorbentbody 28 covered with the covering material. In the center lineneighborhood, a bending element piece 86 is positioned, substantiallyparallel in a lengthwise direction, not reaching the edges of theabsorbent body 28. In addition, a bending element piece 90 (a bendingelement extends lengthwise in the junction) is positioned substantiallyparallel in a lengthwise direction, at a specified distance from thecenter line, near the front 14. A bending element piece 80, which issubstantially parallel in a breadthwise direction, and a bending elementpiece 92, which is longer than the bending element piece 80, extends ata specified angle with respect to the breadthwise direction and changesits orientation into a breadthwise direction near the finger inserthole, are positioned to cross the center line. These bending elementpieces 80 and 92 cross the bending element pieces 86 in the central partrespectively. The absorbent body 28 can be divided and named breadthwiseto an extension part 93, a long protrusion part 94 and an extension part96 starting the left side in the figure (from the right side of thewearer).

When the mini sheet piece 100 is attached in this manner, theinterlabial pad can be worn easily by inserting the finger into a slot102. More specifically, when putting in place, with the fingercontacting the side of the interlabial pad facing the clothing, in thevicinity of a lengthwise center line, pushing the labia open, theinterlabial pad can be placed securely in the vestibule floor.Therefore, it is possible to prevent leak of blood by avoiding creatinga gap between the vestibule floor or the inner walls of the labia andthe side of the interlabial pad facing the body. It is also preferablethat a finger insert hole to secure the finger in a lengthwise directionof the back side sheet is formed by providing a the mini sheet piecewhich is attached with more than one bonded part on both sides along thelengthwise direction and more than one part which is not bonded alongthe breadthwise direction so as to fit the finger in the vicinity of alengthwise center line.

An interlabial pad which is provided with a mini sheet piece having afinger insert hole on the side facing the body makes it possible toplace the interlabial pad in a secure position because by inserting thefinger with the palm side of the fingertip contacting the back sidesheet, the sensitive fingertip can sense the position of the ostiumvaginae, which is concaved. This will prevent leak of blood.

To place the interlabial pad, the wearer inserts her finger into thefinger insert hole so that the interlabial pad is supported by thefinger wrapped in the slot 102. When the interlabial pad is guided tothe interlabial space from the front side (ventral side), the palm maycontact the front side (opposite side to the direction of fingerinsertion) of the interlabial pad. Even in such case, because thebending element (bending element piece) 92, which extends breadthwise ismade at least in the absorbent body, the front side of the interlabialpad can change in form easily so as not to change the relative positionof the finger and the interlabial pad. After wearing the interlabial padbetween the labia, in pulling the finger out from the slot 102, somewearers pull out their finger with their finger bent, which causes thepalm to contact the front side (opposite side to the direction of fingerinsertion) of the interlabial pad. Even in such case, because thebending element (bending element piece) 92, which extends breadthwise ismade at least in the absorbent body, the front side of the interlabialpad can change in form easily so as not to change the relative positionof the finger and the interlabial pad in pulling out the finger.

As shown in FIG. 12, the long protrusion part 94, which is placedbetween the labia, maintains the closeness to the inner walls of thelabia and the extension part 96, which extends breadthwise from bothsides of the long protrusion part 94, cover the pudenda in intimatecontact. This will increase the contact area, which prevents leak ofblood. At the junction (or border) of the long protrusion part 94 andthe extension part 96, bending element pieces, which extends lengthwiseare made at least in the absorbent body. This makes it easy to maintainthe extension part 96 perpendicular to a vertical direction in use sothat the absorbent body surface can absorb the menstrual flow excreteddownward in a large quantity.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the interlabial pad of the embodimentshown in FIG. 12. The absorbent body 28 is taken out from the coveringmaterial and laid out flat. The extension part 93, long protrusion part94 and extension part 96 are shown by double-headed arrows respectively.The bending element piece 90 extending lengthwise in the above-describedjunction is just on the border between the extension part 93 and thelong protrusion part 94. In addition, In this figure, the bendingelement piece 92 extending breadthwise near the above-described fingerinsert hole is shown in a “V” shape oriented to the direction of fingerinsertion X. Though the two segments of the bending element piece 92 arejoined in the central part, bending element piece can be separated intotwo in the central part. In this case, this bending element piece has aspecified angle including a right angle with respect to the lengthwiseor breadthwise direction.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the interlabial pad having the minisheet piece 100 of the present invention. The absorbent body 28 iscovered with the surface side sheet 26 and the back side sheet 30. FIG.15 shows the interlabial pad with the mini sheet piece 100 in FIG. 14worn between the labia 60. The surface side sheet 26 is placed betweenthe labia and the absorbent body 28 is covered with the surface sidesheet 26 and the back side sheet 30. The mini sheet piece 100 is pushedout from the slot 102 and hangs slack downward. The details of thematerials for these components will be described later.

FIG. 16 to 18 show in diagrammatic form how the interlabial pad changesin form when the specified bending element pieces are arranged in place.FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of the interlabial pad bent to theright. The interlabial pad 10 has a bending element piece 110 in thecenter line neighborhood extending from the front 14 to the rear 16 (orin the long protrusion part). Therefore, it is considered that theinterlabial pad 10 can be easily folded in two to contact the vestibulefloor, which will enhance the closeness. In addition, between the leftedge 20 of the interlabial pad 10 and the central part, a bendingelement piece 112 extends breadthwise. Likewise, a similar bendingelement piece extends on the right side 18 of the interlabial pad 10.These bending element pieces allow the pad to bend easily.

FIG. 17 shows the interlabial pad bent to the right and left in an “S”curve. The pad is bent with a bending element piece 112 on the exterior,orienting the front 14 to far side and is also bent with the bendingelement piece 114 on the interior, orienting the front 16 to this side.This interlabial pad 10 also has a bending element piece 110 in thecenter line neighborhood. It is considered that the appropriatearrangement of the bending element pieces makes such complicated bendingeasy.

FIG. 18 shows the interlabial pad 10, slightly unfolded and bent so thatthe part near the rear 16 is oriented downward. In this case, thebending element piece 110 makes it easy to fold the pad in a center andthe bending element pieces 116 and 118 make it easy to fold the paddownward. These bending element pieces extend slightly-curving at aspecified angle with respect to the lengthwise direction.

The detailed description of materials for each component of theinterlabial pad of the present invention will be given below.

As shown in FIG. 14, the interlabial pad 10 consists of the surface sidesheet 26, the absorbent body 28, the back side sheet 30 and the minisheet piece 100. The surface side sheet 26 is made of a permeable sheet,the absorbent body 28 is made of a material which can absorb body fluidsand the back side sheet 30 is made of a water impermeable sheet. Themini sheet piece 100 can be made of the same materials as for thepermeable sheets or water impermeable sheets. For the interlabial pad,an adhesive can be applied to a part of the mini sheet piece to enhancethe closeness to the body in use. The detailed description of thesecomponents and the materials are as follows:

[Components of the Interlabial Pad] <Permeable Sheet>

The surface side sheet 26 of the interlabial pad facing the body iswater permeable. For the water permeable sheet, materials which arehydrophilic and non-irritant to the skin are used. Examples of thesematerials include materials which are made of any single or combinationof nonwoven fabrics made by melt blowing, spun bonding, point bonding,through air, needle punching, wet-type spun lace, foam film, and so on.

Examples of fibrous sheets include sheeted fabrics which are any singleor mixture of fibers made of any single of rayon, acetate, cotton, pulpor synthetic resin, or fibers made by combining these fibers to formsheath-core structure.

Among the materials, considering the liquid mobility from the inner faceof the labia, chemical stimulation by a surface active agent, andadhesion with the inner wall of the labia, it is preferable to laminaterayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber length by 40 to80% of a total specific weight per unit area on the body face side, andto laminate a mixture of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51mm fiber length by 14 to 42% of a total specific weight per unit areaand PET with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 7 to 51 mm fiber length by 6to 18% of a total specific weight per unit area on the garment faceside. After laminating them so that the total specific weight per unitarea of the two layers becomes 20 to 60 g/m², the fibers are entangledby water-flow interlacing treatment and then dried to prepare spun lacenonwoven fabric with the thickness of 13 to 0.50 mm. The spun lacenonwoven prepared as described is preferable. At this time, by mixingPET on the garment face side, bulkiness can be easily maintained even ifthe permeable sheet becomes wet. Therefore, adhesion between the innerwall of the labia can be maintained.

<Absorbent>

As the absorbent contained in the interlabial pad, any single orcombination of materials, such as pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate,natural cotton, super absorbent polymer, fibrous super absorbent polymerand synthetic fiber, can be used. Mixtures of required composition areformed into sheets by known techniques, such as crimping by embossingand entangling by needling, and as required, can be appropriatelyadjusted by controlling the bulk, layering, folding or the like.

Sheet materials may be used after processed into sheets or powder, notbeing limited by its application.

It is preferable for the absorbent body, although any material can beused as long as it is capable of absorbing and holding liquid (bodyfluid), to be bulky, hard-to-be deformed, less chemically stimulant, andhighly flexible to fit into the labia. Specifically, a nonwoven sheet inwhich, 50 to 150 g/m² of pulp selected from the range of the fiberlength of 1 to 10 mm is laminated on the garment face side and, on thebody face side, 150 to 250 g/m² of a mixture obtained by mixing 60 to90% of rayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 20 to 51 mm fiber lengthwith 40 to 10% of natural cotton by this mixing ratio is laminated,which then to be formed into a sheet by dotted embossing to have 2 to 10mm bulkiness, and more preferable to have 3 to 5 mm bulkiness. Thereby,liquid can be easily transmitted from the body face side to the garmentface side resulting in the improvement of the absorbing and holdingcapacity. Furthermore, by providing a mesh spun lace nonwoven fabric ofrayon with 1.1 to 4.4 dtex fineness and 25 to 51 mm fiber length by aspecific weight per unit area of 15 to 40 g/m², the liquid transmittedfrom the body face side can be dispersed by the mesh spun lace to beinduced to almost all over the region of the pulp layer. Therefore, moreliquid can be effectively absorbed.

<Water Impermeable Sheet>

For the back side sheet 30 used for the interlabial pad, waterimpermeable sheets are used. As the materials for the water impermeablesheets, materials which can prevent the menstrual flow contained in theabsorbent body from leaking out of the interlabial pad can be used.Using moisture-permeable materials will reduce the hot and muggyfeeling, which will reduce the discomfort in use.

Examples of such materials include sheet films made of synthetic resinswhich are formed into membranes, breathing films made by drawing withinorganic fillers, paper, laminated materials made by combining nonwovenfabrics and films and porous waterproof sheets having 0.1 to 0.6mm-diameter openings covering 10 to 30% of the total area withcapillaries located to extend toward the absorbent.

Additionally, in considering flexibility so as not to degrade the feelin use, a film having a weight per unit area of 15 to 30 g/m² and mainlyconsisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin which has a densityof 0.900 to 0.925 g/cm³ can be used as a preferred example. Morepreferably, protrusions can be made on the above films by embossing inorder to reduce the rate of contact and lower the frictional resistance.This will reduce the possibility that the interlabial pad may fall offfrom the labia due to the high friction between the surfaces of thewater impermeable sheet, or between the water impermeable sheet and apad used in combination with the interlabial pad or underwear.

<Mini Sheet Piece>

For a mini sheet piece, the same materials as for above-described waterpermeable sheets and water impermeable sheets can be used and it ispreferable to use materials having at least breadthwise extensibility orflexibility.

By using such materials for the mini sheet piece, even if the wearer'sfinger is larger than the provided finger insert hole, the mini sheetpiece can stretch at least breadthways corresponding to the wearer'sfinger size. This allows the wearer to use the interlabial padeffectively regardless of the wearer's finger size.

Examples of materials essentially having elasticity includestyrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS),styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), synthetic rubber such asurethane rubber, films made from amorphous olefin resin having a densityof 0.88 to 0.900 g/cm³, opening foam film and net. Woven fabrics orfabrics in which spun filaments made from synthetic rubber areinterwoven can also be used. In addition, a spun bond nonwoven fabric, amelt blown nonwoven fabric and expanded foam sheet which mainly madefrom synthetic rubber can also be used.

In considering a soft feel in use, a preferred example is a porous foamfilm made from SEBS, adjusted to be 15 to 40μ thick and constructed tohave pores of 0.28 to 1.77 mm² covering 40 to 70% of the total area.

Examples of nonwoven fabric include materials which mainly consist ofheat shrinkable compound synthetic fibers having a high-melting corepart and a low-melting sheath part, such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP;including a spun lace nonwoven fabric whose fibers are entangled bywater streams, shrink-type nonwoven fabric whose fibers are shrunk byreheating air processing and so-called extensible spun bond, which is asheet made from continuous long fiber by heat sealing and forcedtentering in the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, a shrink-type nonwoven fabric which mainly consist ofheat shrinkable compound synthetic fibers having a fineness of 1.1-4.4dtex, a length of 7-51 mm, high-melting core part and low-melting sheathpart, such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP and adjusted to have a weight perunit area of 10 to 60 g/m² is a suitable material having a suitablesoftness and drape. Laminated materials made of the materials describedabove can also be used.

When using non-extensible materials which are processed to haveextensibility, the examples of the materials include any single orcompound of nonwoven fabrics which mainly consist of heat shrinkablecompound synthetic fibers having high-melting core part and low-meltingsheath part, such as PE/PP, PE/PET, PP/PP, including a bulky through airnonwoven fabric which is processed by hot air, a spun lace nonwovenfabric whose fibers are entangled by water streams, spun bond nonwovenfabric sheets made by layering continuous fiber, a needle punch nonwovenfabric whose fibers are entangled with needles and a SMS nonwoven fabricformed into sheets by multi-layering spun bond and melt blown fabrics,and opening foam film and films mainly consisting of PE resin.

It is also possible to provide the above-described materials withextensibility using corrugate processing, in which the material isplaced between male-female molds and embossed by heat, temperature andpressure. More specifically, the examples include a through air nonwovenfabric which mainly consists of compound synthetic fibers adjusted tohave a fineness of 1.1 to 4.4 dtex and a weight per unit area of 10 to60 g/m² and applied corrugate processing to have breadthwaysextensibility. Preferably, the male-female molds of the corrugateprocessing is arranged to achieve an extensibility at least 10%, andmore preferably, to have an extensibility of 20 to 50%, yet morepreferably, the processed material is extended by 30% with a load of0.01 to 0.05 N/mm (Test condition: using tensilon tensile tester,velocity: 100 mm/min., chuck interval: 1.00 mm). For providing thematerials with extensibility, methods such as making incisions orperforating can be used.

<Adhesive>

As the adhesives to connect (bond) each material, hot-melt adhesiveswhich are generally used can be employed. Examples of such adhesivesinclude pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesives and heat-sensitivehot-melt adhesives. The pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesives are madeby melt blending tackifiers such as terpene resin and rosin resin andplasticizers such as wax with the main ingredient such as syntheticrubbers including SIS, SBS, styrene-ethylene butadiene-styrene blockcopolymer (SEBS) and styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene block copolymer(SEPS). Examples of heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesives include adhesiveshaving base resin mainly consisting of olefin resin, such aspoly-α-olefin. Among these various adhesives, considering the stabilityin application, it is preferable to use heat-sensitive hot-meltadhesives. Examples of heat-sensitive hot-melt adhesives having highstability in application include adhesives made by melt blendingpoly-α-olefin by 45 to 55 weight percent, plasticizer by 10 to 15 weightpercent and tackifier by 35 to 45 weight percent. To the heat-sensitivehot-melt adhesives, antioxidant or antifluorescent can be added within arange of 0.1 to 1.0 weight percent.

[Structure of an Interlabial Pad which is Also Biodegradable, WaterDispersible and Water Soluble]

It is possible and preferable that the interlabial pad of the presentinvention consists of biodegradable and/or water dispersible and/orwater-soluble materials. Such interlabial pads can be dropped intotoilets and flushed away, which allows the easy and clean disposal ofused pads and reduces the refuse in toilet facilities.

In this Specification, “biodegradability” means that a substance isdecomposed into gas such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, andbiomass under anaerobic or aerobic condition according to the naturalprocess under the existence of bacteria represented by actinomycetes andother microbes, and also means that the biodegradability (biodegradablerate and biodegradable degree) of the substance equals to a materialnaturally generated such as fallen leaves or a synthetic polymergenerally recognized having the same biodegradability under the sameenvironment. “Water dispersibility” means the same as waterdegradability, where there is no effect from the limited amount of water(menstrual blood) upon use, whereas in conditions of large amounts ofwater or under water flow, the fibers are easily dispersible into atleast small pieces which cannot clog the toilet plumbing. “Watersolubility” means the property of not being affected by limited amountof water (menstrual blood) upon use, but being soluble in large amountsof water or under a flow of water.

<Water Permeable Sheet>

As the materials for water permeable sheets, along with a spun lacenonwoven fabric, wet-process spun lacing nonwoven fabric selected fromthe nonwoven fabrics within a range of fiber length of 1 to 15 mm can beused. In addition to the above-described materials, resins which arebiodegraded by hydrolysis process, such as polylactic acid, polybutylenesuccinate can also be used. For example, a melt blown nonwoven fabricwhich is made from polylactic acid and adjusted to have a weight perunit area of 20 to 60 g/m² or a spun bond nonwoven fabric adjusted tohave a weight per unit area of 15 to 30 g/m² and a fineness of 1.1 to3.3 dtex can be used. For each nonwoven fabric material, aperturing isoptional.

As the other materials, the tow of synthetic fiber or of continuousfiber of the laminated body may be used by adjusting to a range ofweight per unit area of 50 to 300 g/m² to ravel fiber each other.

<Absorbent Body>

As the materials for absorbent bodies, nonwoven fabric sheets made byneedling can be used. Considering the biodegradability of superabsorbent polymer, it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulosefibers.

<Water Impermeable Sheet>

As materials for water impermeable sheet, PVA films, film sheets made byapplying water-repellent processing on one side, both sides or someparts of PVA films using silicone and so on, PVA films mixed withsilicone, starch films, laminated paper consisting of films made ofresins which are biodegraded by hydrolysis process, such as polylacticacid and polybutylene succinate, and tissue. The materials may becolored by mixing inorganic pigments within a range of 0.1 to 5% asrequired.

When maintaining leakage prevention in humid conditions and avoiding anexcessive load on septic tank is taken into consideration, a preferredmaterial is laminated paper made by laminating a film made frompolylactic acid to tissue having a thickness of 10 to 20μ and a weightper unit area of 15 to 20 g/m², with a bonded area of 5 to 40% oflaminated area.

<Mini Sheet Piece>

As materials for the mini sheet piece, films, a spun bond nonwovenfabric and a melt brown nonwoven fabric made from biodegradable resins,such as polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate; films and nonwovenfabrics made from water-soluble materials such as PVA and CMC; and waterdispersible tissue and a spun lace nonwoven fabric mainly consisting ofcellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose and others can be used.

It is preferable to use sheets of a spun bond nonwoven fabric or a meltblown nonwoven fabric, which mainly consist of biodegradable materials,are adjusted to have a fineness of 0.1 to 3.3 dtex and a weight per unitarea of 15 to 40 g/m² and are subjected to the mechanical corrugateprocessing.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the interlabial pad of the present invention has ashape which allows the pad to be placed easily between the labia andconsists of an absorbent body which absorbs body fluid and a coveringmaterial which covers the absorbent body. As the interlabial pad ischaracterized by having bending elements at least in the absorbent body,the interlabial pad can easily change in form starting from the bendingelements (or be bent at bending elements), which can reduce bothlengthwise rigidity and breadthwise rigidity of the interlabial pad wornbetween the labia. This will allow the interlabial pad to follow thechange in form of the vestibule floor more effectively, reducing theforeign feeling caused by the wearer's body motions. In addition, as thecloseness to the vestibule floor will be also enhanced, it is possibleto prevent leak of blood.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. An interlabial pad having a first axis that issubstantially parallel to an anteroposterior axis of a wearer, and asecond axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, comprising: anabsorbent body for absorbing body fluids, having a plurality of slitsreducing a bending strength or a fold resistance; a surface side sheetand a rear surface side sheet each of which bonded surrounding ends ofthe interlabial pad enclosing the absorbent body; a sheet piece memberwhich is provided on a inside of the interlabial pad folding along thefirst axis so that the surface side sheet faces outwardly, the sheetpiece member having a size smaller than the rear surface side sheet isbonded outer edge portions of the surrounding ends of the rear surfaceside sheet away from the first axis; a space extending along the firstaxis provided between the sheet piece member and the rear surface sidesheet folding along the first axis in the interlabial pad, wherein atleast one of the absorbent body, surface side sheet, rear surface sidesheet and sheet piece member has at least one property of abiodegradable material, a water dispersible material, and a watersoluble material, wherein the surface side sheet includes a nonwovenfabric as a water permeable sheet selected from a range in which fiberlength is 1 to 15 mm, or a biodegradable resin by hydrolysis process,wherein the absorbent body includes a nonwoven fabric sheet obtainedthrough needling processing, and wherein at least one of the rearsurface side sheet and sheet piece member includes a water impermeablesheet formed by a water permeable processing.
 20. An interlabial padaccording to claim 19, wherein the absorbent body includes high polymerabsorbing material using carboxymethylcellulose fiber orcarboxyethylcellulose fiber.
 21. An interlabial pad according to claim19, wherein the rear surface side sheet includes a PYA(polyvinylalcohol) film applying water-repellent processing at least oneside thereon.
 22. An interlabial pad according to claim 19, wherein therear surface side sheet includes a PYA (polyvinylalcohol) film mixing ofsilicone.
 23. An interlabial pad according to claim 19, wherein the rearsurface side sheet includes a laminated film member selected from PYAfilm, a starch film, a film of biodegradable resin and a tissue.
 24. Aninterlabial pad according to claim 19, wherein the sheet piece memberincludes at least one of a spun bond nonwoven fabric and a melt brownnonwoven fabric.
 25. An interlabial pad according to claim 19, whereinthe sheet piece member includes at least one of a film and a nonwovenfabric, made from water-soluble materials.
 26. An interlabial padaccording to claim 19, wherein the sheet piece member is formed by amechanical corrugate processing.
 27. An interlabial pad according toclaim 19, wherein the plurality of slits includes: a first slitpositioned along a center line of the absorbent body in parallel withthe first axis; a second slit arranged to reach a first peripheral edgeof the absorbent body is substantially parallel with the first axis; athird slit positioned between the center line of the absorbent body anda second peripheral edge of the absorbent body is substantially parallelwith the first axis; a fourth slit positioned to cross the center lineof the absorbent body in parallel with the second axis; a fifth slitarranged to reach the second peripheral edge of the absorbent body issubstantially parallel with the second axis; and a sixth slit positionedbetween the center line of the absorbent body and the second peripheraledge of the absorbent body is substantially parallel with the secondaxis, wherein the absorbent body has a plurality of crossover pointseach of which formed from the first slit and the fourth slit, and formedfrom the third slit and the sixth slit.
 28. An interlabial pad accordingto claim 27, wherein the plurality of slits further includes a seventhslit positioned near the center line of the absorbent body and extendsin a direction towards the second peripheral edges of the absorbent bodyfrom the second axis at a specified angle.
 29. An interlabial padaccording to claim 28, wherein the absorbent body includes high polymerabsorbing material using carboxymethylcellulose fiber orcarboxyethylcellulose fiber.
 30. An interlabial pad according to claim28, wherein the rear surface side sheet includes a PYA(polyvinylalcohol) film applying water-repellent processing at least oneside thereon.
 31. An interlabial pad according to claim 28, wherein therear surface side sheet includes a PYA (polyvinylalcohol) film mixing ofsilicone.
 32. An interlabial pad according to claim 28, wherein the rearsurface side sheet includes a laminated film member selected from PYAfilm, a starch film, a film of biodegradable resin and a tissue.
 33. Aninterlabial pad according to claim 28, wherein the sheet piece memberincludes at least one of a spun bond nonwoven fabric and a melt blownnonwoven fabric.
 34. An interlabial pad according to claim 28, whereinthe sheet piece member includes at least one of a film and a nonwovenfabric, made from water-soluble materials.
 35. An interlabial padaccording to claim 28, wherein the sheet piece member is formed by amechanical corrugate processing.